Sports Ministry Plans Criminal Action Against Doping Supply Chains

India is set to tighten its anti-doping laws , with the Centre proposing criminal penalties for those involved in supplying banned substances to athletes. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said amendments to the National Anti Doping Act would introduce jail terms of up to five years for trafficking and administering prohibited substances in sports.

According to the proposed amendment, anyone found administering banned substances to an athlete “for the purpose of or in connection with doping in sport” could face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to ₹2 lakh, or both . The draft amendments have been uploaded on the Sports Ministry’s website for public feedback and are expected to be introduced in the next session of Parliament.

Addressing the media, Mandaviya said doping has evolved into an “organised ecosystem” involving suppliers, trainers and support networks that exploit athletes. “We only punish those who are consuming, but suppliers need to be targeted as well,” he said.

India’s tougher stance comes amid growing international scrutiny over repeated doping violations involving Indian athletes, particularly in athletics, wrestling and weightlifting. While doping remains a global issue affecting many sporting nations, Indian authorities are concerned about the country’s consistently high number of positive tests in international anti-doping reports.

Officials believe many athletes, especially at the grassroots level, are vulnerable to unregulated supplements, poor awareness and organised supply chains pushing performance-enhancing substances. The government also fears repeated violations could damage India’s sporting reputation at a time when the country is seeking to emerge as a major global sporting power and strengthen its bid to host international events.